Last updated: June 20, 2026
If you worked in 2025 and lived in Washington, tax credits may help your family at tax time. Start with your federal return, then check Washington’s Working Families Tax Credit. This guide explains what to check, where to apply, what papers to gather, and what to do if a refund is delayed or a credit is denied.
Tax information, not tax advice
This guide is general information only. Filing status, income, custody, immigration status, disability, health insurance, and paperwork can affect what you can claim. Use IRS-certified free tax help, official tax software, the IRS, Washington Department of Revenue, or a qualified tax professional before filing if your case is not simple.
Bottom line
Washington does not have a regular state income tax return for most families. The Washington Department of Revenue says on its income tax page that Washington does not have an individual income tax. That means your main state tax refund to check is usually the Washington Working Families Tax Credit, often called WFTC.
The Working Families Tax Credit is a Washington refund for many workers with low or moderate income. For tax year 2025, eligible families may receive up to $1,330, depending on income and the number of qualifying children. Some ITIN filers can qualify if they meet the other rules.
Also check federal credits, including EITC, the Child Tax Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, education credits, and the Premium Tax Credit. The federal child credit basics are covered later in this guide.
If you need help before a refund comes
A refund can take time. Washington says WFTC processing can take up to 90 days after you apply. Federal refunds can also be delayed by identity checks, EITC or ACTC holds, paper filing, missing forms, or tax letters. If food, rent, child care, utilities, health care, or safety is the urgent problem, look for help now while you work on taxes.
- Call WA 211 for local food, housing, utility, health, child care, and other community resources.
- Use our local 211 guide if you need help knowing what to ask.
- Check Washington SNAP help and Washington WIC if groceries, formula, or nutrition support is the need.
- Use Washington emergency help if you need a same-week starting point.
Where to start
Start with your federal return. You usually need a filed federal return before you apply for WFTC. Your federal return is also where you claim EITC, child credits, care credits, education credits, and the Premium Tax Credit.
If you have not filed
Gather income records, IDs, child information, care receipts, and health insurance tax forms. Then use free filing software or make a free tax appointment if your return is basic.
If you already filed
Check whether you applied for WFTC. Washington lets people apply online, by paper, through some tax software, or with local help.
If you got a letter
Open it right away. Check who sent it, the deadline, the letter number, and the documents requested. Do not file the same return again unless a trained helper tells you to.
For other state benefits, start with Washington single mother help and then choose the program that matches your need.
Quick tax table for Washington families
| Credit or help | What it may help with | 2025 amount or rule | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington WFTC | State refund for many workers with low or moderate income. | Up to $1,330, based on income and children. | You need a 2025 federal return and must meet Washington rules. |
| Federal EITC | Refundable federal credit for many workers. | Up to $8,046 with three or more qualifying children. | Federal EITC usually requires valid Social Security numbers. |
| Child Tax Credit | Federal credit for qualifying children under 17. | Up to $2,200 per child; up to $1,700 may be refundable. | The child must meet Social Security number and other IRS rules. |
| Care credit | Care costs paid so you could work or look for work. | Based on eligible expenses and income. | You need the provider’s name, address, and tax ID. |
| Education credits | College, certificate, or job-skill costs. | AOTC may be partly refundable; LLC is not refundable. | School records and Form 1098-T matter. |
| Premium Tax Credit | Marketplace health plan premium help. | Varies by income, household, and plan. | You need Form 1095-A and Form 8962. |
Washington Working Families Tax Credit
The WFTC is Washington’s state refund for eligible workers. It is separate from the federal EITC, but it uses many of the same income and child rules. Washington describes it on the WFTC eligibility page.
For 2025 claims, the Washington Department of Revenue says the application period opened February 1, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2029. The state DOR notice also says refunds can be paid by direct deposit, paper check, or prepaid debit card.
| Qualifying children | Income under: single, Head of Household, or MFS | Income under: married filing jointly | Maximum WFTC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $19,104 | $26,214 | $335 |
| 1 | $50,434 | $57,554 | $660 |
| 2 | $57,310 | $64,430 | $995 |
| 3 or more | $61,555 | $68,675 | $1,330 |
Basic WFTC rules
For tax year 2025, you generally must have a valid Social Security number or ITIN, live in Washington at least 183 days in 2025, be at least 25 and under 65 or have a qualifying child, file a 2025 federal tax return, and be eligible for federal EITC or meet the EITC rules except for filing with an ITIN.
How to apply
The WFTC apply page lists online, e-file, paper, office, and community help options. To apply, you need a copy of your federal return, Social Security numbers or ITINs and dates of birth for you, your spouse if filing jointly, and children, your Washington driver license or ID number if you have one, your addresses, and direct deposit details if you choose that payment method.
Important note for ITIN families
Washington’s WFTC may be available to some ITIN filers. The federal EITC is different and generally requires valid Social Security numbers. This is not immigration advice. If you are worried about immigration, public charge, or family safety, ask a trusted tax preparer, legal aid office, or qualified immigration professional before you apply.
Federal Earned Income Tax Credit
The federal EITC is a refundable credit for workers with low or moderate income. The IRS EITC tables list the 2025 income limits and maximum credit amounts. Earned income can include wages, tips, self-employment, gig work, and some disability benefits before retirement age.
| Qualifying children | AGI limit: single, Head of Household, MFS, QSS | AGI limit: married filing jointly | Maximum federal EITC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $19,104 | $26,214 | $649 |
| 1 | $50,434 | $57,554 | $4,328 |
| 2 | $57,310 | $64,430 | $7,152 |
| 3 or more | $61,555 | $68,675 | $8,046 |
For 2025, the federal investment income limit for EITC is $11,950 or less. Child support, unemployment, Social Security, pensions, alimony, interest, and dividends do not count as earned income for EITC.
When to get help
Get free tax help if your child lived with more than one adult, another parent may claim the child, you had self-employment income, you moved during the year, you are separated but not divorced, or your documents do not match. These are common reasons for delays and letters.
Child Tax Credit and ACTC
The IRS Child Tax Credit page says the 2025 Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child, and up to $1,700 may be refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit. You must have at least $2,500 in earned income to be eligible for the refundable ACTC.
A qualifying child generally must be under age 17 at the end of the year, live with you for more than half the year, be claimed as your dependent, not provide more than half of their own support, and meet citizenship or resident rules. For the Child Tax Credit, the child must have a Social Security number valid for employment by the return due date, including extensions.
If a dependent does not qualify for the Child Tax Credit, ask free tax help to check the Credit for Other Dependents. That credit is not the same as ACTC and is not refundable.
Other credits to check
Care credit
The IRS care credit may help if you paid for care for a child under 13, or another qualifying person, so you could work or look for work. You usually need Form 2441 and the provider’s tax information.
Education credits
IRS education credits may help with college, certificate, or job-training costs. The American Opportunity Tax Credit can be partly refundable. The Lifetime Learning Credit is not refundable.
Premium Tax Credit
If your family bought health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, use IRS Form 8962 to reconcile advance premium tax credits or claim the Premium Tax Credit.
Washington Healthplanfinder says its 1095-A form is needed to complete Form 8962 if you used premium tax credits. If the form is wrong, contact Healthplanfinder before filing or amending.
Free filing help in Washington
You may not need to pay to file a basic return. Start with free options before paying for refund advances, add-on products, or a preparer who will not clearly explain fees.
- IRS Free File: The IRS Free File page is the official starting point. For 2026 filing, guided software is available to many people with 2025 AGI of $89,000 or less.
- VITA and TCE: The IRS free prep page explains volunteer tax help for many people with modest income, people with disabilities, older adults, and people who need language support.
- WFTC help: The WFTC help page lists refund status, My DOR, in-person help, paper forms, and contact options.
Watch for unsafe preparers
Do not sign a blank return. Do not let someone make up income, children, business expenses, or credits. Make sure you get a full copy of the return and that a paid preparer signs it with a preparer tax ID.
Documents checklist
Missing papers can delay a refund. Keep copies of what you file and what you give a preparer. Our documents checklist can help with other benefit applications too.
| What to gather | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Needed at most free tax sites and by many preparers. |
| SSN cards or ITIN letters | Names and numbers must match tax records. |
| W-2, 1099, gig, and cash-work records | Used to report income and check EITC and WFTC. |
| Self-employment records | Needed for income, expenses, and possible Schedule C. |
| Child residency proof | School, medical, child care, shelter, lease, or benefits records may help if asked. |
| Child care provider details | Needed for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. |
| Form 1095-A | Needed if you used Washington Healthplanfinder tax credits. |
| Form 1098-T and school receipts | May support education credits. |
| Bank routing and account numbers | Used for direct deposit if you choose it. |
| Copy of your federal return | Needed for the WFTC application. |
What to do if your refund is delayed or denied
First, check the right agency. Federal refunds go through the IRS. WFTC applications go through Washington Department of Revenue. Marketplace tax form problems go through Washington Healthplanfinder.
- Use the IRS refund status tool for federal refunds.
- Use WFTC status tools from the WFTC help page after applying.
- Call WFTC at 360-763-7300 or use TTY 711 if you need application help. The WFTC contact page says interpreters are available.
- If WFTC is denied and you disagree, the request review page says you can request an administrative review, usually within 30 days of the decision date.
- If you have an IRS dispute and cannot afford help, check the IRS tax clinic map.
Keep the envelope and letter
Save the letter, envelope, screenshots, and proof that you mailed or uploaded documents. If you call, write down the date, the number you called, and what the person told you.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping a return because income was low. You may miss refundable credits if you do not file.
- Forgetting WFTC. Washington does not have a regular state income tax return, so WFTC is easy to miss.
- Using the wrong child information. Names, dates of birth, SSNs, and ITINs must be correct.
- Guessing who claims a child. Shared custody and relatives in the home can make this hard.
- Leaving out gig work. App work, cash work, tips, and 1099 work may need to be reported.
- Filing before Form 1095-A is correct. Healthplanfinder tax credits can affect your return.
- Filing duplicate WFTC applications. Washington says duplicate applications can delay the refund.
Backup options if taxes are not enough
A refund may not cover the whole problem. Some credits are smaller than the maximum. Some are not refundable. Some are delayed while an agency checks identity, income, or child records.
For medical coverage, review Washington health help. For pregnancy or newborn needs, use newborn help. For local agencies that may know food, rent, utility, and seasonal help, check Community Action help.
Phone scripts
Calling a free tax site
“Hi, I am a single parent in Washington. I need help filing my 2025 federal return and checking EITC, Child Tax Credit, WFTC, and the care credit. Are you taking appointments, and what should I bring?”
Calling WFTC
“Hi, I filed my 2025 federal return and want to apply for the Working Families Tax Credit. Can you tell me what documents I need and how to check if I already applied?”
Calling about a letter
“Hi, I received letter number ____ about my tax return or WFTC application. The deadline says ____. Can you help me understand what proof is needed before I respond?”
Calling 211
“Hi, I am waiting on a tax refund, but I need help with ____ this week. Can you search for local programs in my ZIP code and tell me what is open now?”
Resumen en español
Si trabajó en 2025 y vivió en Washington, revise el EITC federal, el Crédito Tributario por Hijos y el Working Families Tax Credit de Washington. El crédito de Washington puede estar disponible para algunas personas con ITIN si cumplen las demás reglas.
Primero presente su declaración federal. Después solicite el WFTC con el Departamento de Revenue de Washington. Reúna identificación, números de Seguro Social o ITIN, formularios W-2 o 1099, datos de cuidado infantil, Form 1095-A si usó Healthplanfinder, y una copia de su declaración federal.
FAQs
Does Washington have a state EITC?
Washington has the Working Families Tax Credit, which is a state refund connected to the federal EITC rules. It is not a regular state income tax credit because Washington does not have an individual income tax return for most families.
Can I get WFTC if I file with an ITIN?
Yes, some ITIN filers can qualify for WFTC if they meet the other Washington rules and would meet the federal EITC rules except for the Social Security number rule. Federal EITC itself generally requires valid Social Security numbers.
How much is the 2025 WFTC?
For tax year 2025, the maximum WFTC is $335 with no qualifying children, $660 with one, $995 with two, and $1,330 with three or more. The minimum refund for eligible applicants is $50.
What if I missed the April 15, 2026 tax deadline?
File as soon as you can. If you owe tax, waiting can add penalties and interest. If you are due a refund or credits, filing late may still matter because refunds and credits can expire if you wait too long.
Can I claim EITC and Child Tax Credit together?
Yes, many parents can claim both if they meet the rules for each credit. The child, income, residency, identification, and filing-status rules are not exactly the same, so check each credit carefully.
Where can I get free tax help in Washington?
Start with IRS Free File, VITA or TCE free tax prep, WFTC community help, or WA 211. Bring income forms, IDs, child records, care provider details, Form 1095-A if needed, and last year’s return if you have it.
Editorial dates
Last updated: June 20, 2026
Next review: September 20, 2026
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 20, 2026, next review September 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.